Above is a very rare 1 Imperial Gallon Demijohn which British Royal Navy Imperial Rum was a 108.6-proof blend encased in hand weaved double handle protective wicker with red stripe.
Rare photo to the left shows grog being dispensed aboard an unknown Royal Navy ship, but note the rum/grog mixing tub and the two demijohns in wicker! Photo to the right shows a small example of the collection of British Royal Navy Imperial Rum demijohns, copper rum cups, copper lipped measures, rum fannies or mess pails.
Top and bottom photographs - wicker is in absolute perfect museum quality condition - a MUST for any true collector of British Navy Rum paraphernalia.
Photos to the left and above illustrate a demijohn with its wicker removed showing the initials S.R.D. (Supply Reserve Depot) and another photo showing British Infantry during WWII pouring out rum from a demijohn without wicker and the initials S.R.D. clearly showing.
The British had a centuries-long tradition of serving rum on board Royal Navy ships. First served to English sailors in Jamaica in 1655, this unique spirit, created for use by His Majesty's armed forces, was a mainstay of British naval life for over 300 years. Over the years, the consumption of rum in the Royal Navy evolved, but remained an important part of the sailor's experience.
By the early 1900s, the ration had been reduced to one-eighth of a pint, and the emphasis was on quality not quantity. The daily ritual: at six bells, the boatswain's whistle signaled "Up Spirits" and the crew assembled for their daily "tot" (as the ration was called). The rum was poured into a special bowl inscribed to the King and tots were dispensed with great ceremony.
The daily ration was suspended on July 31, 1970 - known as Black Tot Day - which was observed with solemnity and sadness as the end of a cherished era. Until recently, the final stores of this special rum have been reserved for important naval and Royal functions. It was last served by the Crown at Prince Andrew's wedding.
| Museum Quality Condition. Handcrafted. These wicker-protected porcelain or ceramic demijohns were used store British Royal Navy Rum (108.6-proof) from the very early 1900s thru the 1960s. This particular demijohn is ca WWI to WWII (1900s-1960s) and later since the wicker strips used during this period is a bit thinner than that found on early demijohns. The rum was mixed with water and lime juice to create what is known as "Navy Grog" and served daily to the enlisted ratings. |
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